The Road Less Traveled By is Still Taxed

High gasoline prices seem to be the bane of every American's existence these days. We can't seem to escape it, even when the entire country is in recession. Last summer, Rick Perry promised that, if the Texas Department of Transportation would borrow $1.5 million for road-building projects, he and his legislature would work to stop diverting the $600 million a year collected from motor vehicle fees and gasoline tax to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Well, here we are, and in an estimated 24 to 36 months, TXDOT will most likely be saying 'no new roads', due to the crappy economy, which has been slowly tanking since last summer. Because of this, there won't be any surplus to fill the gap if that $600 million is not diverted to DPS. It is even rumored that lawmakers will be using the state's rainy day fund of almost $9.1 million to cover themselves politically in 2011, rather than putting it to better use on the roads or even the school system.

In this article from the Austin American Statesman, the author states that metropolitan counties should be allowed to vote on whether or not to impose a higher gasoline tax, which, since 1991, has been 20 cents to the gallon. I fully agree. It is obvious that the legislation in the state would rather piddle away our tax dollars on campaigning than providing us with decent roads. In the hands of the citizens, the decision to use this money for the upkeep and construction of new roads in central Texas will be impacted more greatly and will help to justify the possible rise in the gasoline tax. At least then, we will feel as if we have gotten our money's worth!